Phosphntic Mnterinh uml for Agricnltvral Pnrjma;, 8S1 
c. Bone Shavings. 
Bono-sliavliifjs are produced in button-works, manufactories 
of knife-handles, &c., &c. Being the turnings of liard bones 
they contain rather more phosphate of lime and a little less 
organic matter or nitrogen than ordinary bone-dust. 
Composition of Bone Shavings. 
Moistm-c 13-12 
*()i-!:;aiiic matter 26*12 
Tlinspliates of lime and magnesia 53'74 
Carbonate of lime 5'39 
Alkaline salts '78 
Sand -85 
100-00 
* Containing nitrogen 3-28 
Eqnal to ammonia 3-98 
Purchasers of this valuable refuse should be on their guard, 
for it is frequently mixed with vegetable ivory — a substance which 
has no appreciable value as a manure, and which resembles so 
closely bone shavings that the admixture cannot be recognised 
by simple inspection. 
XIX. — Statistics of Live Stock and Dead Meat for Consumption 
in the Metropolis. By Robert Herbert. 
Notwithstanding that the arrivals of stock from abroad have 
continued on an extensive scale, and that most of our markets 
have been fairly supplied with English beasts during the past 
six months, the beef trade has ruled somewhat active, and prices 
have been higher than in the previous five years. Although 
last season was by no means favourable for fattening live stock, 
owing to the enormous quantities of rain which fell in most 
parts of England, most kinds of beasts disposed of in Smith- 
field were decidedly superior in weight and condition to those 
exhibited in 1859. This is an important step in the right 
direction, though we admit that even a further improvement will 
have no important influence upon prices. When, however, we 
find this improvement extending itself to the Devons, Herefords, 
&c., as well as the Short-horns, we seem to have before us the 
promise of steadier prices than have prevailed during many 
previous seasons. The greatest improvement as regards weight 
and quality of meat has been effected in the various crosses, but 
more especially those derived from the North of Scotland, where 
it would appear that cross-breeding has been, on the whole, moro 
2 D 2 
